prevail

prevail

CEFR: C1-C2 /pre-vail/ [p.r.ih0.v.ey1.l]

To prevail means to defeat an opponent especially in a long or difficult contest. The phrase "prevail over/against" is often used. For example:

Example Sentences:
Our soccer team prevailed [=won] despite the bad weather.
He prevailed against/over last year's champion.
She prevailed in a lawsuit against her doctor. [=she won a lawsuit against her doctor]

To prevail can also mean to be usual, common, or popular. For example:

Example Sentences:
The house was built in the style that prevailed in the 1980s.

To prevail can also mean to be or continue to be in use. For example:

Example Sentences:
The tribal custom still prevails [=persists] after hundreds of years.
The law still prevails in some states.

Finally,the phrase "prevail upon someone to do something" means succeeding in persuading them to do it.

Example Sentences:
They prevailed on/upon me to play a few tunes on the piano.
Do you think she could be prevailed upon to do those things?